Virginia: McDonnells Warned to Restrain Speech

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell and wife, Maureen, were given strict orders on Monday not to discuss anything “substantive” with potential witnesses, including family and close friends, about their forthcoming trial on corruption charges. Magistrate Judge David J. Novak reminded the former first couple multiple times that the punishment for breaking those rules could be jail. The McDonnells have denied charges that they illegally accepted $165,000 in loans and gifts from a former chief executive of a dietary supplement company in return for promoting his products. Monday’s hearing came after the couple’s lawyers objected last week when prosecutors argued that the McDonnells should be allowed to speak only with potential witnesses who are family members, and not about the case. The judge ruled that the McDonnells could speak with any potential witness about benign aspects of the case.

A version of this brief appears in print on February 4, 2014, on Page A11 of the New York edition with the headline: Virginia: McDonnells Warned to Restrain Speech. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe